Artemisa Rocha: Benefits and Harms of New Technologies in Digital Health

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Dr Artemisa Rocha, a specialist in cognitive and affective neuroscience, gave an interview in which she reflected on the impact of digital technologies on mental health, especially among young people. The researcher emphasised the benefits of technology in promoting health, including neurocognitive rehabilitation and remote access to medical care, but warned of the risks associated with the excessive use and seduction of digital platforms.

According to her, problematic use of the internet can lead to the development of behavioural dependencies, especially in vulnerable groups such as adolescents. These behaviours are often fuelled by reward and personalisation mechanisms, promoting intense connections that are difficult to control. The researcher argues that these new forms of addiction share neurobiological foundations with chemical addictions, requiring society to pay extra attention.

She also called for the importance of setting limits on use, promoting offline activities, and the social responsibility of technology companies and legislators. For Artemisa, it is essential to educate and protect citizens in the face of this new digital landscape and to create public policies that favour a healthy coexistence between the human and the digital.

Image
Catarina Machado

Interview
Catarina Machado

Edition
Catarina Machado

Text
Mariana Devezas